Annual Meeting Prime Minister Eva Petrič of Honorary Dr. Miro Cerar Exhibitis in Consuls Addresses UNGA New York page 3 & 4 > page 5 > page 8 >

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 9, 2015, VOLUME 11, NUMBER 22 Science and Education Showcase & Reception Celebrating 50 Years of U.S. - Fulbright Exchanges Prof. Jure Leskovec. On October 1, the renowned Slovenian experts moderated by VTIS president Embassy of Slovenia marked in science and education. The Igor Cesarec. The program 50 Years of the Fulbright event featured Davor Orlic, also included a presentation of exchange program with Project Manager of Knowledge educational exchange programs the U.S. with a reception 4 All Foundation and Mitja by the American Slovenian that was part of a larger Jermol, UNESCO OER Chair, Educational Foundation, given day-long program aimed at both representatives from Jožef by Jure Leskovec, computer strengthening cooperation Stefan, the leading Slovenian scientist and an associate in science and education scientific research institute, professor at Stanford, who between the U.S. and who presented the OpeningUp introduced his area of expertise Slovenia on in Washington, Slovenia initiative. The forum, as well. Students, researchers, DC. furthermore, featured a diaspora academics, and businesspeople The program started showcase presented by Društvo from both countries attended with an afternoon scientific VTIS - Association of the showcase, as well as and educational showcase with Educated Abroad, which was honorary consuls of the Republic

Embassy of Slovenia 2410 California Street, NW twitter.com/SLOinUSA Washington, D.C. 20008, USA T: +1 202 386 66 01 E: [email protected] facebook.com/SLOembassyUSA washington.embassy.si Dr. Tadeja Gračner in VTIS President Igor Cesarec. Science and education workshop participants. of Slovenia in the U.S. and to gain academic experience in Department, former U.S. Mexico, who were scheduled to the U.S. Many of them joined ambassadors to Slovenia, attend their annual meeting at the event and some even took science attachés from various the embassy next day. a plane ride to participate in E.U. member countries, The afternoon forum the program! representatives of NGOs was followed by a networking The keynote speakers and think tanks working on reception celebrating 50 years at the evening reception were international exchanges, and of the U.S.-Slovenia Fulbright the Slovenian ambassador Slovenian scientists in the U.S. exchange program. With the to the U.S. Dr. Božo Cerar, Almost 400 Slovenians help of the U.S. Embassy in and Marianne Craven, Acting have taken part in the , and the U.S. State Deputy Assistant Secretary program since 1965 when the Department, the Slovenian (DAS) for Academic Programs first generation of Slovenian embassy in Washington tried at the Department of State. scholars received Fulbright to reach out to all Fulbright Guests included not only scholarships. Almost the same alumni of the past 50 years American and Slovenian alumni number of American students, who studied or did research of the Fulbright program, but professors, researchers and in Slovenia and vice versa – also representatives of the scientist spent their Fulbright Slovenes who were fortunate White House and the State days in Slovenia. Another 500

Astrophysicist Dr. Andrej Prša. Address by Ms. Marianne Craven, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Academic Programs. OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 2 Slovenes participated in other Gary Bukovnik. The exhibition, is represented in numerous exchange program funded by entitled Forever Spring, was public collections, such as the the U.S. government. Among curated by Ms. Olga Merela, Art Institute of Chicago; the them was (in 2003) also the director of the Bonfoey Gallery Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; present Slovenian ambassador in Cleveland, OH. Born in the Brooklyn Museum; the to the U.S., Dr. Božo Cerar, Cleveland to a Slovenian family, Metropolitan Museum of Art, who participated in State Gary Bukovnik has lived in San New York; the Smithsonian Department’s International Francisco for over 30 years. Institution, Washington, DC; Visitors Leadership Peace and Primarily using the mediums the Library of Congress; the Security Program. of watercolor, monotype and Philadelphia Museum of Art; To emphasize the cultural lithograph, Bukovnik fuses and the Fine Arts Museum of ties between the two countries, sensual vitality with fluid yet San Francisco. The exhibition the ambassador opened on powerful colorations, creating will be on view until December this occasion an exhibition by floral images of great depth 18. the Slovenian American artist and intensity. Bukovnik’s work

Reception marking 50 years of Fulbright program with Artist Gary Bukovnik. Slovenia. DIPLOMACY Annual Meeting of the Honorary Consuls

On Friday, October 2, legal entities in their respective fields between Slovenia and the the Embassy of the Republic states, to provide information U.S. and Slovenia and Mexico. He of Slovenia hosted the annual about Slovenia, its economy and also thanked them for consular meeting of the honorary consuls its culture, and to facilitate and assistance to Slovenian citizens of the Republic of Slovenia in establish economic contacts and and for their commitment to the United States and Mexico. contacts in the fields of culture, the Slovenian community in the Slovenia has appointed 13 non– science, education and sport. U.S. and Mexico. Furthermore, professional/honorary consuls in In his remarks, given he outlined the priorities of the the U.S. and 2 in Mexico, which at the annual meeting, Slovenian foreign policy, briefed the embassy in Washington is Ambassador Dr. Cerar first them on the economic indicators responsible for. Their role is to thanked the honorary consuls for Slovenia, and explained the provide necessary assistance for their service and dedication latest guidelines for their work. to Slovenian nationals and to expand cooperation in various Next to the ambassador,

OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 3 The gathering was also an opportunity for the consuls to From left: Hon. Consul Diaz, Hon. Consul Wilkens, Hon. inform on their activities throughout the year. Consul Nelson, Hon. Consul Medved and Hon. Consul Chan. participating embassy staff in The gathering was also (Florida), Mr. Paul N. Steinfeld the meeting were also: Deputy an opportunity for the consuls (Georgia), Rear Admiral Ronald Chief of Mission, Mr. Vladimir to inform on their activities Joseph Zlatoper (Hawaii), Dr. John Kolmanič; Economic Counsellor, throughout the year, including P. Vidmar (Illinois), Mrs. Barbara Mr. Gorazd Renčelj; Political their work promoting Slovenia K. Nelson (Kansas), Ambassador Counselor and Science Attaché, in their respective states as Yousif B. Ghafari (Michigan), Mr. Borut Blaj; Consular Officer, business and tourist destinations Mr. Miro Medved (Minnesota), Ms. Tjaša Tanko; and Ms. and efforts to strengthen the Mr. Erik Horvat (New York, Nuška Zakrajšek, who handles ties between the two countries New Jersey), Dr. Lydia Mihelič cultural, public diplomacy in science and technology, Pulsipher (Tennessee), Mrs. and education portfolios. The education, culture, public Sandy Wilkens (Texas) and Mrs. event was also attended by Mr. diplomacy and consular affairs. Petra Mitchell (Pennsylvania). Borut Žunič, consul general ad The network of honorary The two honorary consuls serving interim from Cleveland, OH, consuls in the U.S. currently in Mexico are: Ambassador where Slovenia has opened the consists of Mr. Thomas J. Brandi Alejandro Diaz (Guadalajara) only professional consular post (California), Mr. Srečko Vidmar and Mr. Ariel López (Mexico outside Washington, DC area. (Colorado), Dr. Gregory S. Chan City).

In his remarks, given at the annual meeting, Ambassador Dr. Slovenia has appointed 13 non–professional/honorary Cerar first thanked the honorary consuls for their service. consuls in the U.S. and 2 in Mexico. OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 4 DIPLOMACY Prime Minister Dr. Miro Cerar Addresses U.N. General Assembly

PM Dr. Cerar addresses United Nations General Assembly. Meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Slovenian Prime Minister, Prime Minister Dr. Miro Cerar response and reaffirmed the Dr. Miro Cerar, departed for addressed the 70th session of the support of the United Nations in New York on September 24 to United Nations General Assembly meeting related challenges. In attend the 70th U.N. General in New York on Wednesday, addition to meeting the Secretary- Assembly session. First, on September 30. In the general General, P.M. Dr. Cerar also met September 25, he took part in debate of the anniversary with General Assembly President a U.N. development summit session, held on the theme “the Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark, discussing the 2030 Sustainable road ahead for peace, security held other bilateral talks as well Development Agenda and co- and human rights”, Prime Minister as attended several side events. chaired, with Prime Minister of Dr. Cerar underlined Slovenia’s Along with the Prime Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, commitment to promoting Minister, Foreign Minister, Karl Ralph Gonsalves, an interactive human rights and the rule of Erjavec, traveled to New York to dialogue session of the Summit law, and stressed that Slovenia attend the general debate and dedicated to the issue of poverty would continue to advocate take part in ministerial meetings and hunger. On September 27, for progressive approach to of the Group of Friends on he attended the meeting of human rights issues and strive to the Responsibility to Protect, global leaders on gender equality enhance international norms and and the Group of Friends of and women’s empowerment. standards. Mediation. He also addressed On September 28, he joined a On Thursday, P.M. Miro the open debate of the Security welcome reception hosted by Cerar in a meeting with the Council on the preservation of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki- U.N. Secretary-General Ban international peace and security moon - for heads of delegations, Ki-moon discussed the recent and a ministerial marking the as well as a reception given by developments in the Western 20th anniversary of a nuclear U.S. President Barack Obama. , including the migrant arms ban treaty. During his visit, On September 29, he attended crisis. The flow of refugees MFA Erjavec held a number of a high-level event on the fight pouring out of conflict zones in bilateral meetings and attended against terrorism and violent the Middle East and North Africa several side events dealing with extremism and, on September 30, now also to Europe was in the issues such as restraining the a high-level event on migration, focus of the debate in New York. use of the veto in cases of mass and a preparatory conference for The Secretary-General underlined atrocities, and the OSCE’s peace- the World Humanitarian Summit. the importance of a Europe-wide keeping operations. OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 5 MUSEUMS IN SLOVENIA Velenje Museum

Velenje Castle. (Photo by Blaž Verbič) The House of Minerals. (Photo by Blaž Verbič) What better way to learn collections were being created mentioned in written sources, about Slovenia’s history, art and an intensive restoration of to the end of the 17th century. and heritage then by visiting the castle took place. An old store and an inn are the various museums spread Velenje Museum today reconstructions of a general store throughout the country? covers the area of three Šaleška and an inn from the beginning of When making a list of things valley’s municipalities (Velenje, the 20th century. The exhibition to do in Slovenia, do not forget Šoštanj, and Šmartno ob Paki) How Velenje Became a City about interesting galleries and and offers the visitors of Velenje presents the story of Velenje, museum collections. We will do Castle eleven permanent the youngest city in Slovenia, our best to introduce as many collections and gallery and its fast development after as possible in our newsletter. exhibitions and always some the Second World War, when The Velenje Museum is interesting temporary exhibition. from the small rural borough housed in the Velenje Castle, Besides the collections which under the Velenje Castle a which is known as one of take a visitor through the local contemporary city was born in the best- preserved castles history, we should mention only a few years and became in Slovenia. While the castle the African collection of widely known as “a miracle was first mentioned in 1270, it František Foit, one of the most of socialism”. The exhibition, acquired today’s appearance important African collections Šaleška valley 1941–1945, talks in the 16th century when the in Slovenia, the mastodon about the Second World War owners of that time completely collection, and the collection of period. In the castle chapel in the renovated it and changed the Slovene contemporary art. The northwest defense tower there half fortress-like castle into a palaeontological collection of is baroque art from the church renaissance residence. After the remains of the mastodon of St. George in Škale, which the Second World War, when the skeletons consists of the finds was demolished in the mid-20th castle became socially-owned of two species of mastodon, the century due to the mining of property, most of its interior predecessors of today’s elephant, coal and the consequent sinking was destroyed and the building which lived in the Šaleška valley of the ground. Beside the began to decay. In 1957, the about two million years ago. The contemporary Slovene art, the Velenje Coal Mining Company exhibition Between gallery exhibits of the museum founded the Museum of Slovene and Baroque presents the area include also the collections of Coalmines, which was placed of the Šaleška valley from the the painter Lojze Perko and the in Velenje Castle. Soon, new 12th century, when it was first sculptor Ciril Cesar. OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 6 Velenje Museum also homestead with a vegetable and includes various separate units herbal garden, a bee house, an in the Šaleška valley dealing orchard and a vineyard in Lipje with interesting topics: the pri Velenju. It contains also the Museum of the Leather Industry House of Minerals with over in Slovenia, located in Šoštanj, five thousand minerals from which in a pleasant atmosphere all over the world, and two tells the story of leather tanners, memorial rooms at, respectively, industrial workers and former Topolšica and Graška gora. The life in the Šaleška valley. There memorial room in Topolšica Muzej Velenje is also a pearl of Slovene rural commemorates the signing of Ljubljanska 54 architecture – the 400-years-old partial German capitulation on 3320 Velenje Kavčnik homestead in Zavodnje May 9, 1945, while the one in www.muzej-velenje.si above Šoštanj and also the Gril Graška gora is devoted to the [email protected] legendary 14th Partisan division. CULTURE Lectures on Plečnik’s Architecture by Prof. Peter Krečič

Poster for the lecture. Three Bridges in Ljubljana, by Plečnik. Slovenian Arts Council the Slovenian Arts Council also spaces in Ljubljana, Prague, at the University of Wisconsin prepared an exhibition about and Vienna. The lecture was Milwaukee hosted on Friday, Plečnik’s work at the university’s followed by a question- and- September 25 a lecture by the library. answer session and a reception. art historian and Plečnik expert, Prof. Krečič then travelled Krečič has been director Prof. Peter Krečič. The lecture, to Minnesota, where he gave a of Ljubljana’s Museum of entitled Jože Plečnik: A Modern lecture on Monday, September Architecture since 1978 and Classicist, was part of UWM’s 28. He was hosted jointly by Twin has taught at the Faculty of 2015/2016 Architecture Lecture Cities Slovenians, The University Architecture and the Faculty Series. In the well–attended of Minnesota College Of Design, of Design in Ljubljana. He has event, followed by a reception, and the University of St. Thomas lectured extensively in Europe Prof. Krečič explained the huge Art History Department. His and in the U.S., has given impact the Slovenian architect presentation was illustrated by presentations at the UCLA, the Jože Plečnik had on the modern an extensive selection of slides Catholic University, Princeton, identity of Slovenia’s capital, of Plečnik’s works, including and the University of Minnesota. Ljubljana. On this occasion, buildings, bridges, and public

OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 7 CULTURE Eva Petrič Exhibits at the Ricco/Maresca Gallery in NY

Opening night. Eva Petrič and Frank Maresca. On September 17, Ricco/ Sara Salaway and Kaia Miller. sentences, laid out on paper Maresca Gallery in Chelsea, Among the artworks of different colors and textures New York, presented a series included in the exhibition is in ways where sentences form of contemporary and vintage also an artist book entitled visual images. photographic self-portraits— Shadows&Puppets, the language The exhibition many of which predate the of E@motion RE-acting, by “ME” and Eva Petrič’s book selfie—by artists across the Slovenian artist Eva Petrič. Shadows&Puppets, the language spectrum. The exhibition The book includes black-and- of E@motion RE-acting, will entitled “ME” features canonical white analog photographs as be on view until October 31. names such as Pierre Dubreuil, well as color photographs, and More information: http://www. Constantin Brâncuși, Edward its purpose is to explore the riccomaresca.com/exhibitions- Steichen, André Kertész, Berenice language of emotions through the current/ Abbott, Weegee, Allen Ginsberg, endeavor to visualize feelings on Eva Petrič’s participation Andy Warhol, Francesca feeling. The book is a hybrid of a in the opening of the exhibition Woodman, and “outsider” Vivian literary story, switching between was supported by the Embassy of Maier, as well as contemporary a fairytale and a contemporary Slovenia in Washington, DC. the photographers such as Marianna email diary. The text itself is Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Rothen and new emerging artists a hybrid between images and Ministry of .

OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 8 UPCOMING EVENTS - WASHINGTON, D.C.

SLOVENIA AT THE KIDS EURO FESTIVAL: PUPPET SHOW THE MOUSE WAS MAKING PORRIDGE The Embassy of Slovenia cordially invites you to the eighth annual edition of the Kids Euro Festival. The festival, featuring free performances - puppet shows, magic, cinema, and workshops, will take place in Washington, DC from October 24 to November 8, 2015. Slovenia will be represented by Ms. Jelena Sitar Cvetko and Mr. Igor Cvetko of the Zapik Puppet Theatre with the show The Mouse Was Making Porridge (Miška kaško kuhala). Kids Euro Festival is brought to you by the 28 European Union Member States and The Delegation of the European Union in Washington, in collaboration with various American cultural organizations. Schedule of performances (all free!): Saturday, October 24 at 4 p.m. (performance in the ) at the Embassy of Slovenia, 2410 California Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008. RSVP to: [email protected] Sunday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20008 REGISTER AT: http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/whats/events-and-programs/family-fun-days/ kids-euro-festival-mouse-was-making-porridge Sunday, October 25 at 3:00 p.m. at the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20008 REGISTER AT: http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/whats/events-and-programs/family-fun-days/ kids-euro-festival-mouse-was-making-porridge-0 Tuesday, October 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20003 For a school group - Not open to the public Tuesday, October 27 at 2:00 p.m. at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20003 REGISTER AT: http://hillcenterdc.org/home/programs/2568/ Wednesday, October 28 at 11am at Mann Elementary School, 4430 Newark St NW, Washington, DC 20016. Not open to the public. Sunday, November 1 at 7 p.m. at The Children’s Inn at NIH, 7 West Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814. For hospital patients and families only. Not open to the public More information and registration: http://kidseurofestival.org/the-mouse-was-making-porridge/

OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 9 SLOVENIA AT THE KIDS EURO FESTIVAL: STORYTIME WITH THE AMBASSADOR: LITTLE MOUNTAIN-FISH GOES TO SEA As part of the Kids Euro Festival, Dr. Božo Cerar, the Ambassador of Slovenia, will read his newly published children’s book “Little Mountain-Fish Goes to Sea/Gorska ribica gre na morje”, which tells the story of a curious little fish living in a mountain creek and the adventures that happen on its journey down the river to the sea. Text: Dr. Božo Cerar Translation: Vladimir Pregelj Illustrations: Miro in Metka Zupančič When: Monday, November 2 at 1:00 p.m. Where: Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20540 More information: http://kidseurofestival.org/little-mountain-fish-goes-to-sea/

GARY BUKOVNIK’S EXHIBITION: FOREVER SPRING Cleveland born and educated, Gary Bukovnik has lived in San Francisco for over thirty years. His work is represented in diverse public and private collections around the world. Working in watercolor, monotype, lithograph and metal sculpture, Bukovnik in his work fuses sensual vitality with fluid colorations, creating floral images of tremendous depth and intensity. Bukovnik’s work is well known throughout galleries across America, and his work has been shown internationally in , Spain, Luxembourg, Japan and, most recently, in China. His work is represented in various public and private collections, including The Brooklyn Museum, NYC; Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC; The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; and The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH. Gary is also represented in The List Collection, NYC; Fine Arts Museums, San Francisco; Bank of America; AT&T; Clorox; Neiman Marcus; and the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles. When: Ongoing through December 18; Monday through Friday during business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Embassy of Slovenia, 2410 California Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 Admission free. For more information see: http://garybukovnik.com/ and http://www.bonfoey.com/

OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 10 READING BY ALEŠ ŠTEGER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. With his poetry, novels, and essays appearing in The New Yorker and other international magazines, Aleš Šteger is the most translated Slovenian author of his generation. This reading (in German, English and Slovene) and discussion will address the flâneur concept in German literature and the role poetry plays in people’s lives today in Berlin, the new/old European poetic capital. Presented in cooperation with the Embassy of Slovenia.

When: Friday, November 6, 2015 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (EST) Where: Goethe-Institut Washington, 812 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 More information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reading-ales-steger-berlin-tickets- 15313275419?aff=erellivorg

www. .si

"PREKO MURE PREKO DRAVE, PREK SAVE VSE DO MORJA, MORDA ŠE PREK OCEANA, OD ZIBELKE DO NEW YORKA."

Aleš Šteger. Vlado Kreslin.

UPCOMINGJOIN US ON 10 /EVENTS23/2015 7P M- NEW YORK ...... CONCERT BY VLADO KRESLIN IN NEW YORK Vlado Kreslin is one of the most influential Slovenian , whose distinctive style combines elements of folk, pop and rock music, AmericanVL bluesA andD evenO gypsy Kmusic.R He EsharedS stageL withIN R.E.M., Bob Dylan, Allan Taylor, Sean Cannon...... of...... the...... Dubliners,...... The...... Walkabouts,...... Andy...... Irvine...... and...... many more. Over the years, he toured , Argentina, Uruguay, , Germany, , Spain, Bosnia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia,1 R Greece,IVE ItalyR PandL theA CU.S.E - LOUNGE When: Friday, October 23, 2015; doors open at 7:00 p.m. Where: RiverPlace Lounge, 650 west 42nd street, 3rd6 floor,50 W eNewst 4 2York,nd, 1NY0 01003636 New York Space is limited. Entrance is free but reservations are a must. Suggested donation: $20 per person to cover organizational expenses. [email protected] RSVP: +1 (917) 843 - 8485 RSVP: [email protected] or call: 917 843 8485 Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1911657135725976/

OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 11 FATHER PEDRO OPEKA IN NEW YORK Father Pedro Opeka is a legend among humanitarian revolutionaries. Born in Argentina to Slovenian parents, Father Pedro has been a missionary in Madagascar since 1970, striving to improve the lives of one of the poorest populations on earth. He has received the Legion of Honor from France and nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Still he continues to labor in Madagascar. In November, he will visit New York. When: Monday, November 2 at 6:00 p.m. (Mass in the church); 6:30 p.m. (reception in the hall) Where: St. Cyril’s Parish at 62 St Mark’s Pl., New York, New York 10003 Admission free, no RSVP is required.

TRANSMISSIONS - AN EXHIBITION FEATURING WORKS BY THE OHO GROUP AT MOMA IN NEW YORK Transmissions: Art in Eastern Europe and Latin America, 1960–1980 focuses on parallels and connections among artists active in Latin America and Eastern Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. During these decades, which flanked the widespread student protests of 1968, artists working in distinct political and economic contexts, from Prague and Ljubljana to Buenos Aires, developed cross-cultural networks to circulate their artworks and ideas.

When: September 5, 2015 to January 3, 2016 Where: The Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10019-5497; The Joan and Preston Robert Tisch Exhibition Gallery, sixth floor More information: https://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1588

UPCOMING EVENTS - OHIO

MARTINOVANJE IN CLEVELAND Štajerski–Prekmurski Klub of Cleveland invites you to the Martinovanje event to celebrate the new wine. Martinovanje marks the wine christening and opening of the 2015 wine barrels. The dinner- dance event will be held at St. Clair Slovenian National Home. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and a sumptuous dinner by Jože Tavčar and crew will be served at 6:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Cleveland’s Alpine Sextet. When: Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Where: St. Clair Slovenian National Home, 6417 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH Reservations: Call Tonica Simičak (440) 256-6716 or Mimi (Kozina) Cupar (440) 551- 0171.

GLASBENA MATICA CONCERT AND DANCE IN CLEVELAND The Glasbena Matica Slovenian Singing Society invites you to an evening of “Remembering Musical Friends” on Saturday, November 21, 2015. Cleveland’s legendary Slovenian chorus appears in a concert tribute to the people who inspire singers, musicians and music-lovers. Listem to made popular by Frank Yankovic, Johnny Pecon, and Mary Udovich and Josephine Lausche, among others There are also salutes to personalities who recently departed, including , Paul Yanchar, Frank Ivancic, and Bishop A. Edward Pevec. You’ll enjoy favorite Slovenian and American tunes. Angela Perrine directs the chorus and Michael Cercek accompanies it on the piano. After the concert, dance with Patty C and the Guys, the Button Box of the Year. When: Saturday, November 21, 2015. Doors open at 4:00 with refreshments, sandwiches and dinner specials available. The concert begins at 5:45. Patty strikes up the band after the show at 7:00. Where: Slovenian National Home, at 6417 St. Clair Avenue, in Cleveland, OH. Admission to the concert is $17; under 12 free. Tickets are available from chorus members and the Polka Hall of Fame, 605 East 222nd Street in Euclid, OH (216) 261-3263.

OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 12 THANKSGIVING POLKA WEEKEND IN CLEVELAND Treat yourself to a spectacular festival of music and dancing at the 52nd annual Thanksgiving Polka Party Weekend, presented by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 26, 27 and 28, 2015. The Downtown Cleveland Marriott Hotel becomes America’s polka headquarters with the finest Cleveland-Style entertainers, plus Denis Novato, the world button champion in a rare U.S. appearance. The high point is the 2015 Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show in the Grand Ballroom on Saturday, November 28. Twenty-three Cleveland-Style and Slovenian-Style orchestras and entertainers play for three days of dancing. The line-up includes the Frank Stanger Orchestra (2014 Band of the Year) and Milwaukee’s Jeff Winard Band in a salute to Frank Yankovic, America’s Polka King, featuring Banjo Bobby Yankovic, Frank’s son. Music is Thursday from 3:00 to midnight; Friday from 1:00 p.m. to midnight; and all Saturday evening after the 6:00 p.m. Polka Mass with Minnesota’s Father Frank Perkovich and the Joey Tomsick Orchestra. Featured polka bands are led by Dick Tady, Eddie Rodick, Jeff Pecon, Del Sinchak, Mikey Dee, Joey Tomsick, Aaron Dussing, Joshua Kay, Linda Lee Brown, Frank Moravcik, and Ed Klancnik. Among the spotlight performers are the Chardon Polka Band, Fritz’s Polka Band, Nashville’s Joey Miskulin, Hank Thunander, the Fairport Jammers, Frank Svet, the Button Box Divas, and Patty C and the Guys (2014 Button Box Band of the Year).

This year’s theme, “A Century of Polka,” celebrates the 100th birthdays of Frank Yankovic and Johnny Pecon and remembers the music of Slovenia’s Slavko Avsenik. Annuals awards in polka excellence are presented as well as Polka Hall of Fame lifetime inductees. Featured talents include Denis Novato, Jeff Pecon and Jeff Winard. The All-Star Polka Big Band is under the direction of Tom Mroczka. When: November 26, 27 and 28, 2015 Where: Downtown Cleveland Marriott, 127 Public Square in Cleveland, OH For dance and show tickets, call the Polka Hall of Fame, (216) 261-FAME, toll-free (866) 66-POLKA, or [email protected] . UPCOMING EVENTS - WISCONSIN

PIANIST ANA ŠINKOVEC TO PERFORM IN WISCONSIN Ana Šinkovec Burstin is a four-time master’s graduate from conservatories in Ljubljana, Brussels, Bergamo and Paris, and has studied with many eminent teachers, including Eugen Indjic, Dmitri Bashkirov, Vladimir Ogarkov, Karl-Heinz Kammerling. Ana is the recipient of international prizes, including 1st prize at the Nikolai Rubinstein International Competition in Paris. Since 2012, Ana has been regularly invited to play as a soloist with domestic and international orchestras. Ana performed Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Scriabin’s Piano Concerto in Ljubljana, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in London at St. John’s Smith Square; last March, she made her debut with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in the U.K. Her performance as a guest soloist with Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra in Wisconsin is her U.S. debut.

When: Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts, 826 North 8th Street, Sheboygan WI 53081 More information: http://sheboygansymphony.org/concerts/2015-2016-season/russian-to-the- finnish

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS OF SEPTEMBER 24 ISSUE In the article about Ambassador Cerar’s visit to Cleveland, the caption of the second photography on left on page 2 was incorrect. During his visit, Ambassador Dr. Cerar met with Dr. Edi Gobec and his wife Ms. Milena Gobec. The Embassy of Slovenia regrets the errors.

The weekly Embassy Newsletter, produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, is available on: www.washington.embassy.si. Send us your comments or request for a subscription on: [email protected] Editor: Nuška Zakrajšek, Language consultant: Vladimir Pregelj

OCTOBER 9, 2015, PAGE 13